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Conditions and Diseases > TMJ Forum > Is TMJ the cause of my tinnitus?
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Q: Is TMJ the cause of my tinnitus?
asked by: nincompop on July 9th, 2009
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Firstly, i'm 15 years old. I'm been suffering from mild tinnitus(both ears) for 2 months now. Recently, there is this VERYVERY soft pulsing dubdub-dubdub sound in my ears lasting for a couple of seconds. Is this bad?

I don't listen to loud music. Maybe for a few hours everyday(ever since i got an ipod about a year ago) but i'm sure the volume is pretty good. However, i once accidentally played the ipod at the max volume for about 5 seconds. A day or so after that experience, i started getting the ringing/cricket-ish sound in my ears.

I heard that cochlear damage is only prominent if i listen to loud music for a long periods of probably years. But it's only once for me so i started doubting this as the cause.

I naturally have a crossbite. Not very bad but still, obvious if you look at my teeth. My teeth are perfectly aligned except for my jaw, causing the crossbite.

I also heard that there are some tests to confirm if it is caused by TMJ.
Clenching the teeth - became higher pitched
pressing on forehead and resisting it - became higher pitched
pressing on lower jaw - higher pitched too

I sometime get some wierd neck discomforts that feels like i strained a muscle. Not sure if it's all in my mind or something. Not distinct, very mild. Also, occasionally, some very soft crackling sound when i open my mouth wide,move it side to side,vigorous movements etc. No real pain of any sort though.

So how high are the chances that TMJ is the cause of my tinnitus?
Or what could be the other causes? Sinus etc?
If TMJ is really the cause, please give some info on treatment, cost of treatment etc.
Thank you.
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edgaras
replied on July 11th, 2009
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Given that you have muscular (even mild one) in neck or upper back in addition to cross bite (have that too) makes me think that it is certainly related to TMD (temporal mandibular disorder). Most of TMJ patients due at one point or another experience tinnitus due to the pressure created by inflammatory process near the ear canal, as that where the TM joint is at (right next to it)... Do you have any jaw deviation to one side or another open opening. Given that you experience this in both ears at same time makes me think it is not TMJ, because usually it starts on one side, unless you have some bilateral condylar resorption which is rare.

To be sure, ENT doctor would be the one to go to to check what exactly is the cause, they would likely order hearing test, which might be useful or not.
As for as your other questions, please read the articles, you will find the information, cost, treatments, there are topics on it.

Tinnitus by itself can be nothing at all, natural reaction to environment change. So don't' be concerned so much, I had that too, even standing next to loud speakers at concerts, so you did not damage you hearing playing ipod for 5 seconds, no. I would suggest you get of the scare mongering media. Smile
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nincompop
replied on July 13th, 2009
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The soundin my right ear is louder though... Mhm... As in i mostly focus on the sound in my right ear but if i try and listen, i can hear it in my left ear.
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edgaras
replied on July 14th, 2009
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Again, like I said, ENT is probably the place to go to,they will refer to audiologist to make sure your hearing is OK, if one ear is very bad, they will likely do some more research...
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